“And your companion?”
“The Italian fellow?
Oh, he just snored.”
“He did not leave the compartment at all during the night?”
“No, sir.”
“Did you?”
“No, sir.”
“Did you hear anything during the night?”
“I don’t think so, sir.
Nothing unusual, I mean.
The train being at a standstill made it all very quiet.”
Poirot was silent a moment or two. Then he spoke.
“Well, I think there is very little more to be said.
You cannot throw any light upon the tragedy?”
“I’m afraid not.
I’m sorry, sir.”
“As far as you know, was there any quarrel or bad blood between your master and Mr. MacQueen?”
“Oh! no, sir.
Mr. MacQueen was a very pleasant gentleman.”
“Where were you in service before you came to Mr. Ratchett?”
“With Sir Henry Tomlinson, sir, in Grosvenor Square.”
“Why did you leave him?”
“He was going to East Africa, sir, and did not require my services any longer.
But I am sure he will speak for me, sir.
I was with him some years.”
“And you have been with Mr. Ratchett – how long?”
“Just over nine months, sir.”
“Thank you, Masterman.
By the way, are you a pipe-smoker?”
“No, sir.
I only smoke cigarettes – gaspers, sir.”
“Thank you, that will do.” Poirot gave him a nod of dismissal.
The valet hesitated a moment.
“You’ll excuse me, sir, but the elderly American lady is in what I might describe as a state, sir. She’s saying she knows all about the murderer.
She’s in a very excitable condition, sir.”
“In that case,” said Poirot, smiling, “we had better see her next.”
“Shall I tell her, sir?
She’s been demanding to see someone in authority for a long time.
The conductor’s been trying to pacify her.”
“Send her to us, my friend,” said Poirot. “We will listen to her story now.”
4.
The Evidence of the American Lady
Mrs. Hubbard arrived in the dining-car in such a state of breathless excitement that she was hardly able to articulate her words.
“Now just tell me this – who’s in authority here?
I’ve got some very important information, very important indeed, and I’m going to tell it to someone in authority just as soon as I can.
If you gentlemen–” Her wavering glance fluctuated between the three men.
Poirot leaned forward.
“Tell it to me, Madame,” he said. “But first, pray be seated.”
Mrs. Hubbard plumped heavily down on to the seat opposite to him.
“What I’ve got to tell you is just this.